Hi Stacey, I can understand the challenges you are experiencing. There are many positions needing to be filled with your qualifications. The issues are thrice fold. 1. There are many other graduates out there with the same credentials and willing to take a lessor pay. Or, there are experienced persons who have more experience and will accept the positions for substantially less and finally and regretfully, the hiring person may be over 60% less qualified than you, so your resume ends up in the "lose it" pile. In which case you wouldn't want to work for that organization anyway. I would recommend you shore up your resume with strong positive data and have a professional review it for you. Second, determine what type of organization will benefit from having you as a prime employee. Does your resume exude confidence? A brief objective sentence, your education starting with most recent with key duties, your most recent jobs, and a listing of your technical computer skills. The memberships you are part of to enhance your profession; and any awards, publications or volunteer work, will provide a well rounded picture for each company reviewing your resume. If you can keep it at one page, with a cover sheet it is usually preferred. So, if you have gained nothing else from these recommendations remember, find a company that is ethical, has strength in the services it provides and allows for growth. Start with median, large and then small companies. Finally, you must choose a position that you will love. If not you will hate it and have to begin all over again. Be blessed. Rochelle Wright-Moore, Health care Analyst/Community Advocate

Making a move in search of better opportunities can be worth while if you are being offered a position in a company that will help you with moving expenses. It is very unlikely that this is the case nowadays so unless you have a promise from a company that is offering sign in bonus or moving expenses don't make a move. Research first about moving expenses versus job opportunities otherwise you would be doing yourself a disservice

Most companies today are finding avenues to cut costs and wages to save their company money .They have also rolled back on employees health benifits.My suggestion to you is remain steadfast and focus on your life goals..Your degrees will open a door for you,but don't be afraid to launch into the deep.Relocation should be a option or open up your own practise... ..Be encourage

These days it is so much competition out there if u don't have a masters in social work or counseling u will make 20-30,000. With a masters better opportunities. I also have this problem. Alot of non profit experience with a BA.

Stacy, Have you considered finding the opportunity you're looking for (online) and THEN moving? I'd hate for you to feel like you've ended up in the same circumstances in another city. A friend of mine found a position in another state and the company paid to bring her in for an interview. At the least, you might tell the company that you're coming in from out of town and would like to make the most of your interview experience the first time you go since you'll be traveling for it. Good luck to you.

I am in the exact same boat! It makes me so angry thst I worked so hard for my education, and all I seem to have offered is a sales associate job. I could have gotten that job without a degree.

Volunteer experience is wonderful or consider a job in a less desirable position to gain the experience. You might consider a state or county job in your area... You may consider a social work job, a job in a day care (work up to supervisor) or a hospital job just to get your foot in the door... these fields are always hiring. Moving is always an option, but how important is family and friends in relation to the job - put your feelers out in other areas and see what's out there. Never give up - pursue your dream

Dear Stacy, If you are unencumbered at this time it is a good idea to look beyond the fishbowl you may be in. Many areas of America are economically flat and without good prospects as you have noted. THERE ARE THREE CHOICES IN LIFE: First is where do you want to live?(as to climate, politics, beauty,personal satisfaction), Secondly is Who do you want to be near with as a matter of love or friendship or family ties? Thirdly is what shall you do to take care of food and shelter..income. It is as you will find Very Difficult to put these three seemingly easy tasks together for you may have one or two and not the third and feel a gnawing discontent or loneliness or hatred of a low paying dead end work. At your stage it may be wise to gamble and head for an area that calls to you as where you are now does not seem to satisfy you particularly on the job front which is important and at times not so important if the other two aspects are very well in place. Knew a friend who went to Hawaii and loved the place but could find only crummy jobs but he fell in love so he had two out of three and settled into a work which was beneath him as he did not want to lose Love of Place and Love of His Life...the career stuff became not so important and was reduced to just a duty...curse of AdaM. Look before you leap but if you say want to live in sunny California or the Big cities and Bright lights call then search those places out. Work does not totally define you as many Americans think for if you do not find Love and Love of Place then Work becomes kind of a dull flat routine and you have reduced yourself to being just a Worker Bee. Seek balance and know up front how difficult it is to put all three aspects into harmony. Life is an adventure and at times a lonely and scary one or a dull and routine one....but it can also lead to something magical outside of our little 30 mile circles we run around in. Seek and you shall find other ways of living and when the music is no longer appealing then change change change the record. Good luck to you..think and research and commit and be adaptable all of your life.

It honestly pains me to hear about your challenges as recent college grads. Whatever happened to management training or entry level opportunities? Have any employers offered or suggested where you might gain experience? Volunteer or Other??

You're exactly right. I live in CT and I'm in the same situation that you are, but a different career. They tell you to get an education, then after all those years of college, they still don't want to hire you because of no experience.